ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Saluki women's golf put itself in prime position to make a run at another team tournament win, moving up into a tie for fourth place and five strokes off the lead after the second round of the Eagle Landing Invitational on Saturday.

Southern currently sits in a tie for fourth with Samford at a two-round total of 596. On Saturday, the Salukis once again shot no worse than a 78 in team competition, helping add to a Day Two score of 300.

"We played consistent and we are right there in the mix," said SIU head coach Alexis Mihelich. "If we can keep the ball in the fairway and hole some putts tomorrow, we can make a run at the lead."

Leading the way for SIU was senior Cassie Rushing, who launched up to the top of the individual leaderboard with a second-round 70 -- her second-lowest round in her career. Entering play on Saturday, Rushing ranked in a tie for 12th, but now holds a one-stroke lead for the tournament crown. Her 54-hole total of 143 not only leads among all individual competitors at the invitational, but it also ranks as the fifth-best in SIU history.

"Cassie made some good birdies, but most impressively she made some great scrambles to save par and hold her lead throughout the round," Mihelich said. "At one point, she was three-under par on the day."

Sophomore Mattie Lindner stayed hot with another round of 74 to put her in a tie for 21st at 148. Since the beginning of the spring seasons, Lindner has shot under-80 in seven of her 10 rounds played.

Each of SIU's remaining team competitors shot 78's on Day Two: Brooke Cusumano (tied for 34th, 152), Ashleigh Rushing (tied for 39th, 153) and Kris Grimes (tied for 54th, 156). Freshman Xianmei Jin shot a 79 as an individual, also pushing her into a tie for 39th at 153.

The invitational will conclude with the third and final round on Sunday, beginning at 7 a.m. CST.